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26 Sep, 2016 Basic Music Theory and Modes 26 Sep, 2016 Basic Music Theory and Modes Notes, Octaves, Scales and Modes The interval we call an octave is a simple mathematical relationship − the higher note is vibrating twice as fast as the lower. So in modern concert pitch, the A above middle C is 440Hz, the A an octave above that is 880Hz, the A below middle C is 220Hz. In modern western music, we divide an octave into 12 equal intervals we call semitones. So, each semitone is "the twelfth root of two" or 1.059463 times faster frequency than the one below. We chose 12 because several of them are very close to simple mathematical ratios with the base note and hence sound nice. The ratio of a "Fifth" (7 semitones) is 3:2, so the upper note makes three vibrations in the same amount of time that the lower note makes two. The pitch ratio of a "Fourth" (5 semitones) is 4:3, and of a ’Major Third’ (4 semitones) is 5:4. = 120 Semitone Scale Paul Hardy 2014 13 4 Western music then choses 7 notes out of the 12 to make an octave scale of five tones and two semitones. One common example is the major scale which goes TTSTTTS (T=whole tone, S=semitone). This and the other possible harmonious choices are called the seven heptatonic modes. It is easiest to play them all by starting on each of the seven white notes of the piano. = 120 Diatonic Scales on Natural Notes Paul Hardy 2014 Ionian Mode I (C Maj) TTSTTTS 8 4 Dorian Mode II (D Dor) TSTTTST 8 4 Phrygian Mode III (E Phr) STTTSTT 8 4 Lydian Mode IV (F Lyd) TTTSTTS 8 4 Mixolydian Mode V (G Mix) TTSTTST 8 4 Aeolian Mode VI (A Min) TSTTSTT 8 4 Locrian Mode VII (B Loc) STTSTTT 8 4 Paul Hardy’s Music Theory Handout © 2014 cc by−nc−sa 1 26 Sep, 2016 Basic Music Theory and Modes Here are the seven modes again, this time, starting on the same note (C). You can see how the different positions of the two semitone intervals gives more sharps or flats. = 120 Heptatonic Modes starting on C Paul Hardy 2014 Ionian Mode I (C Maj) TTSTTTS 8 4 Dorian Mode II (C Dor) TSTTTST 8 4 Phrygian Mode III (C Phr) STTTSTT 8 4 Lydian Mode IV (C Lyd) TTTSTTS 8 4 Mixolydian Mode V (C Mix) TTSTTST 8 4 Aeolian Mode VI (C Min) TSTTSTT 8 4 Locrian Mode VII (C Loc) STTSTTT 8 4 I chose C as the start note for simplicity, but you can create the seven modes starting on any of the 12 notes of the semitone scale (e.g. F#Maj, F#Dor, F#Mix, etc). 2 Paul Hardy’s Music Theory Handout © 2014 cc by−nc−sa 26 Sep, 2016 Basic Music Theory and Modes Only four of the modes are used commonly in British Isles folk music − Ionian (Major), Dorian, Mixolydian, and Aeolian (minor). Here are the four common modes again, firstly in one sharp and then in two sharps. = 120 Common Modes in one sharp Paul Hardy 2014 Ionian Mode I (G Maj) TTSTTTS 8 4 Dorian Mode II (A Dor) TSTTTST 8 4 Mixolydian Mode V (D Mix) TTSTTST 8 4 Aeolian Mode VI (E Min) TSTTSTT 8 4 = 120 Common Modes in two sharps Paul Hardy 2014 Ionian Mode I (D Maj) TTSTTTS 8 4 Dorian Mode II (E Dor) TSTTTST 8 4 Mixolydian Mode V (A Mix) TTSTTST 8 4 Aeolian Mode VI (B Min) TSTTSTT 8 4 Paul Hardy’s Music Theory Handout © 2014 cc by−nc−sa 3 26 Sep, 2016 Basic Music Theory and Modes Here are examples of a typical tune in each common mode, all with one sharp: Waltz Amazing Grace (GMaj) Carrell and Clayton 1831 = 100 USA 3 4 3 DG March Childgrove (ADor) Trad. Playford 1701 = 80 England 2 2 Am Reel Campbell’s Farewell to Redcastle (DMix) Trad. = 180 Scotland 4 4 D Polka Bear Dance (Em) Trad. = 100 Flanders 2 4 Em Although all four tunes have the same key signature, each has a definite ’home’ note (the first/last note of the scale) and usually finishes on it. The ’A’ part of folk tunes may end on the home note, but if not, it often pauses a fifth above (e.g. D if key is GMaj), as this leads on to the ’B’ part, as in Amazing Grace above. That’s enough for now! 4 Paul Hardy’s Music Theory Handout © 2014 cc by−nc−sa.
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